Page 10 of The Forever Cottage

‘No, he really wasn’t. He was just being friendly. Anyway.’ She was eager to pull the conversation away from Nico before Gina got any more wrong ideas. ‘Enough about me and Charles. What’s going on with you? How’s Ryan? What have you guys been up to recently?’

Gina had been in a relationship with Ryan, twelve years her junior, for several years and the pair of them seemed to share a busy and exciting life together. There was barely a weekend when they stayed at home. Instead, they gallivanted around the country, visiting friends and family, enjoying theatre trips and overnight stays in boutique hotels. A few times a year, they would visit European capitals for short breaks with one big, exotic holiday a year when they would visit the Maldives where they would spend their time scuba-diving and drinking cocktails. Tess always lived vicariously through Gina’s trips, listening in awe as Gina recounted her tales of long, sunny days and sultry nights, the sights they’d seen and the people they’d met. Not that Tess was ever remotely interested in following in Gina’s footsteps. She was more than happy staying at home in Lower Leaping with Barney, her books and her garden. A simple life but one that she wasn’t apologetic for, even if that came with the risk of appearing dull sometimes.

‘Actually, things are a bit rocky between us at the moment,’ Gina admitted quietly.

‘Really?’ Tess and Suzy exchanged a glance, taken aback by Gina’s comment. There’d been no indication that there had been any problems in their relationship.

‘Yes. You know that surprise trip to London Ryan organised last weekend? Well, it was lovely. We went to a fabulous bar and then a Michelin-starred restaurant and stayed in an amazing hotel overlooking the river with an amazing view of Tower Bridge. It was wonderful until Ryan went and spoiled it all by proposing. Honestly, I don’t know what he was thinking.’

‘He proposed!’ Suzy exclaimed. ‘Well isn’t that good news?’

‘No!’ Gina waved a hand in front of her face. ‘Why on earth would I want to get married at this stage in my life, when we’re happy as we are? Although for Ryan, I think it could be a make-or-break deal. He wants us to move in together and make that big commitment to one another.’

‘So what did you say?’ asked Tess, all agog.

‘Well what could I possibly tell him?’ Gina said, opening her palms up to the sky. ‘Other than no?’

9

Tess had popped into Bramlingham to collect some toiletries for her mum, and to shop for fabric to make cushion covers for the summer house which was unrecognisable since Tess had given it a thorough overhaul.

Gone was the commercial feel of Charles’s working space with its neat lines, files and array of computer equipment, replaced now by a light and airy room that was warm and inviting. The soft, denim-blue daybed was the centrepiece of the room, dressed with coordinating throws, and with the light flooding in through the doors and windows, it was the ideal spot to sit and crochet, read or sew. There was a small table and chair that could be used as a desk or workspace, and a boho, multi-coloured rug that brought all the elements of the room together. A selection of verdant green plants gave the space an exotic feel. There was a separate area with a shower room and toilet, and a worktop with a small fridge beneath and space for a kettle and some kitchen items, if needed, put in when it was first built with the expectation that Marjorie might move in one day. It was the perfect retreat and Tess was looking forward to spending much more time out there.

Today was market day and there was an expectant buzz about the town. Tess was happy to mooch around the various stalls, buying some artisanal cheese from one of her favourite stands, appreciating the local artwork on display and picking up some fresh fruit which she popped in her shopping bag. Her gaze travelled around her, soaking up the scene, enjoying the hubbub until she stopped, rendered to the spot by the sight of someone familiar across the other side of the road. It was Charles and in that instant, she could have sworn that her heart stopped. Instinctively, she wanted to run after him, to grab him by the arm, and pull him around to face her, to see his expression light up at the sight of her, but that thought lasted for less than a second. Not when she realised he had someone else at his side, Melody, who was hanging onto his arm, and his every word by the looks of things. She gazed up at him lovingly, a smile spread wide across her face. Up until now, Tess had only imagined them being together but the reality of seeing them in the flesh, looking so happy, like a proper, established couple, stabbed a pain inside that made her clutch at her stomach. She shifted from foot to foot, standing on tiptoe even, watching them until the very last moment when they disappeared out of sight at the bottom of the high street, before she turned abruptly, her head in a spin, uncertain in which direction to go. In her hesitation, she stumbled over something on the ground, almost losing her balance and needing to grab onto the door frame of the nearest shop to keep herself upright. She looked down to see what had tripped her up.

‘Watch out,’ said a disgruntled, male voice.

Tess looked down to see a guy staring up at her accusingly, wiping away the muddy footprint on his trouser leg.

‘Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry! I didn’t see you there. Are you okay? I’ve just had a nasty shock and…’ Tess stopped herself. This poor man didn’t need to hear her life woes, not when she’d just stepped on his foot. He probably had enough issues of his own. He pulled himself to his feet and looked at her with an expression she couldn’t quite fathom. Annoyance, incredulity, sympathy perhaps too.

‘Are you going in?’ he asked her, and for a moment, she wasn’t sure what he was talking about until she realised she was standing in the covered porchway to Caffe Bianco, a café that had stood on the high street for years and was currently emitting the most enticing aromas.

‘Yes! I need a coffee. Definitely. Before I murder someone. Not you, obviously. Are you…?’ She gestured to the open door.

‘Great, thank you. I’ll have a cappuccino,’ he said with a smile that reached his eyes.

‘Of course!’ It was the least she could do, after trampling all over the poor man. She noticed he had what looked to be his life belongings with him, in a huge backpack, that he slipped off and stored beneath a table where he seated himself. ‘Would you like anything to eat?’ she asked.

‘Ah, well, I’ll have a bacon roll, if you’re offering. Thanks.’

Tess headed for the counter, her mind still taunting her with images of Charles and Melody. How dare he? Flaunting his new woman down the high street where he could so easily bump into any of their friends and neighbours. To Tess, even. Did he have no shame? Clearly not.

‘Two cappuccinos and a bacon roll?’ the woman behind the counter confirmed.

‘Make that two bacon rolls,’ said Tess resignedly, deciding she needed something to lift her spirits.

She returned to the table and sat down opposite the man, given the opportunity to take a proper look at him for the first time. His hair, black with occasional flashes of grey, was cut closely to his scalp and he had a strong bone structure that accentuated high, prominent cheekbones. If she had to guess, she would say he was in his mid-forties. A dark shadow of stubble covered the strong lines of his jaw, and it was only the intense blue of his eyes that softened his features, making him seem friendly and approachable. Or perhaps that was down to the half-smile lingering on his lips.

‘Are you okay now?’ he asked with a curious look. ‘You mentioned you’d had a bad shock. Although, take it from someone who knows, I wouldn’t recommend murder as a solution to any problem. It will only cause you a whole heap of drama.’

She gave a nervous laugh, grateful that the stranger was attempting to make her feel better.

‘Oh God, yes, it was awful,’ she said, remembering. ‘I’m not sure how I am,’ she admitted, holding her hand out to show that she was still shaking. ‘It was my husband, you see. I saw him with his new woman. He left me about a month ago and it was just a bit of a shock seeing the pair of them together.’ She exhaled a sigh. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to take it out on you, I promise,’ she added with a smile.

‘It’s fine. I’m sure my foot will recover eventually. And it’s okay, I have another one I can use in the meantime. I’m sorry about your husband.’

Tess nodded her thanks, grateful for the man’s good grace in face of her quite literally barging into his life, although now he looked far more occupied with his breakfast, which had just been delivered by the café owner. The aromas of succulent bacon hit her nostrils and she tucked into the soft bread roll eagerly.

---